THERAPY IN HERPES-ZOSTER AND POSTZOSTERIC NEURALGIA

Acute herpes tester is treated by means of specific virostatic drugs ( acyclovir, famcyclovir, valacyclovir). For oral administration drugs w ith a high bioavailability are recommended (famcyclovir, valacyclovir) . In younger patients only this virostatic therapy and possibly a ther apy with analgesics is indicated. In patients over 65 years the risk o f developing postzosteric neuralgia is significantly increased. An ear ly block of sympathetic efferents can in these patients mostly prevent from this chronic pain. There is no safe analgesic method if postzost eric neuralgia has lasted for some time. Transcutaneous nerve stimulat ion, antidepressants or local anaesthetic creme can be tried, but the results are disappointing. Therefore, therapy in the acute phase of he rpes tester should focus on prevention of postzosteric neuralgia.